How it works

Lives on Record is simple to arrange, enjoyable to prepare for and loads of fun to do.

1

Choose an occasion

Have a look at our occasions page and choose which story you'd like to tell. Often people give Lives on Record as a gift - to a child, parent, colleague or friend.

2

Answer a few questions

We'll get to work researching our subject - with your help. To make it really easy we've created a form that can be filled in by the interviewee and those who know them, giving us all the background information.

3

We come and interview you

We'll arrange to do the one-on-one interview at a place and time that's convenient for you. For most people that's at home, but you're welcome to come to our London HQ if you'd prefer.

4

We edit the interview

Our team of audio editors cut out the ums, ahh's and bits that don't quite work and add in snippets of your favourite music if it's appropriate. The end result is a 60-80 minute broadcast-quality recording.

5

Listen to your story

Four to six weeks after the interview you'll receive your Lives On Record in a beautiful presentation pack. It includes a high quality CD recording and log in details to your online members' page.

6

Share your story

If you like, you can share your log in details with friends and family. They can listen to your full Lives On Record recording on your personal Members' page. Additional copies of the full presentation pack can be ordered too. Like the idea of reading the interview off a page? We can transcribe the interview too, delivered to you bound in a beautiful Lives On Record folder.

FAQs

1. Why don't you film your interviews?

Simply: you get much better pictures with audio. We get a more in depth and authentic interview without having cameras and lights.

2. How soon can you do the interview?

We have a typical lead time of about a month, giving us time to research the interviewee and giving the interviewee time to choose their music.

3. Does the interviewee have to choose music?

Absolutely not – it's entirely optional. We usually suggest the Life on Record interviewee chooses six favourite things, and if not music, it can be poems, books or pieces of artwork too. They don't want to choose any of these? No problem.

4. We live a long way from the Lives On Record London HQ. Can you travel?

We will gladly travel the world to interview you! So far, we've travelled to Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and most places inbetween. We don't charge any travel expenses within an hour of London, but beyond that we will bill you for a train ticket.

5. How long will the interview last?

The aim is for a final recording of no more than 1hr 20mins, so that it can be listened to in a single sitting. We don't put any time limit on the actual recording, but they usually last between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.

6. How long does the edit take?

This is the longest part of the process. It takes a great deal of time to cut down the audio without losing the spirit (or any of the great bits) of our interview. We aim to get your edited recording back to you within 4 weeks of the meeting.

7. I'm the interviewee, and I'm nervous. Help?

You needn't be nervous. It is the job of Lives On Record to get the best interview from you, not vice versa. You just need to take a deep breath and answer questions. We won't ask you anything you don't know the answer to. It'll be quite good fun, we promise!